Heart, lung & circulation
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Heart, lung & circulation · May 2014
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialPerformance of risk stratification for acute coronary syndrome with two-hour sensitive troponin assay results.
Risk stratification processes for patients with possible acute coronary syndrome (ACS) recommend the use of serial sensitive troponin testing over at least 6h. Troponin assays vary in their analytical performance. Utility in accurate risk stratification at 2h post-presentation is unknown. ⋯ Accelerated risk stratification of patients with ACS symptoms may occur at 2h post-presentation using troponin results measured by a sensitive assay. Incorporation of such a strategy could support improvements in patient flow within EDs.
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Heart, lung & circulation · May 2014
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialTransapical aortic valve implantation - an Australian experience.
The aim of this study was to report our initial experience with the transapical approach to transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) at an Australian institution. ⋯ Good short-term outcomes and low or zero mortality are achievable with transapical TAVI at an Australian institution.
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Heart, lung & circulation · May 2014
Clinical TrialResumption of work after acute coronary syndrome or coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Return to work is an important indicator of recovery after acute cardiac events. This study aimed to determine rates of work resumption and identify predictors of non-return to work and delayed resumption of work. ⋯ Patients at risk of poor occupational outcomes can be identified early. Strategies to improve vocational rehabilitation require further investigation.
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Heart, lung & circulation · May 2014
Clinical TrialRight ventricular outflow tract enlargement prior to pulmonary valve replacement is associated with poorer structural and functional outcomes, in adults with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot.
Pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) is commonly performed late after Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair. We examined the effects of PVR on cardiac structure, function and exercise capacity in adults with repaired TOF. ⋯ Normalisation of RV volume is unlikely to be achieved above a pre-PVR RVEDVi of 165mL/m(2) or more. In particular, an enlarged RVOT prior to PVR predicts suboptimal structural and functional outcomes.
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Heart, lung & circulation · May 2014
Cost-effectiveness of interventions to prevent cardiovascular disease in Australia's indigenous population.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of disease burden in Australia's Indigenous population, and the greatest contributor to the Indigenous 'health gap'. Economic evidence can help identify interventions that efficiently address this discrepancy. ⋯ Local and decision-making contextual factors are important in the conduct and interpretation of economic evaluations. For Australia's Indigenous population, different models of health service provision impact on reach and cost-effectiveness results. Both the extent of health gain and cost-effectiveness are important considerations for policy-makers in light of government objectives to address health inequities and bridge the health gap.